Ixtapa Zihuatanejo - Transportation to town by air, land and sea, Companies, etc.

For Today's Flight Schedules on real-time, look under "Airport and Flights Information"

For airport security measures, see bottom of this page

For documents required to visit Mexico, at bottom of this page

If coming by private sailboat or yacht, check under "By Sea"

For detailed information on roadways, check under "By Land"

All prices are approximate and for reference purposes only

If you come by plane you will arrive to the modern Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport facility that is located at only 15 min. from Downtown Zihuatanejo and just 20 min. from the main Boulevard in Ixtapa.

Regular direct itinerary flight services are provided by the following airlines:

	AEROMAR		INTERJET
	AEROMEXICO		MEXICANA / CLICK
	AIR CANADA		UNITED AIRLINES
	ALASKA AIRLINES		US AIRWAYS
	AMERICAN AIRLINES		WESTJET
	DELTA AIRLINES		KLM, COPA, etc.
	FRONTIER AIRLINES
	-Seasonal. Usually in winter. Check with airline. -Operate "code-shared flights" with airlines with direct routes to our resort. -Not operating / No services.

As of August 27th, 2010 Mexicana/Click airlines suspended all domestic and international operations until further notice.

From cities where we don't have direct flights, still you can find many accessible options with easy and usually fast connections. Connections through airports in USA, Canada or Mexico City. Check with a Travel Agent or in internet.

If you're coming from abroad in a non-stop flight, be sure to have your "Tourist Card" (FMT) and "Custom Declaration" forms ready and signed before you deplane to avoid delays on the respective counters. Also, upon departing from the official area please keep your "Tourist Card" in a safe place because the law states that if you loose it, you must paid US$42.00 for a replacement card, it is not longer free.

At Customs, all luggage from international flights will go through an X-Ray check. Also, they have a traffic light for inspections. It's a random system, the percentage of red lights that will motive a luggage revision regardless of immigration status is approximately of 20% (two of every ten passengers). Families traveling together are considered as one.

Import allowances are more flexible with tourists than for nationals but for your information in case you get a red light, our law states that articles are free of taxes up to US$300.00 per person (pax). Some restrictions do apply as in the case of Cigarettes and Cigars, 20 packs or cigars per pax; Hard Liquor, 2 bottles per pax or in case of Wine, 3 bottles per pax. Excess items may be subject to duty. Also, for some food items and especially for plants, fruits and seeds fresh or packed. No problems with fishing gear, golf clubs, surfing boards, photographic camera, video equipment and laptop computer if they are for your personal use. Temporary importation of hunting fire arms require a previous permit from the Mexican Consulate in your country.

Exclusive service in Chevrolet's Suburban or Van for up to 8 persons, around US$53.00 to Zihuatanejo and US$58.00 to Ixtapa. Exclusive car for up to 4 persons, about US$28.00 to Zihuatanejo and US$32.00 to Ixtapa. Shared service in car, suburban, van or bus, according to demand, approx. US$11.50 to Zihuatanejo and US$15.00 to Ixtapa, per person. Rates are higher for points outside the main areas of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and for Hotel Zone II (Club Med, Azul Ixtapa, etc.)

If you're coming on your own, after picking-up your luggage and departing from the arrival terminal (or Customs lounge) at your right side you will find the Airport Taxi Service counters (TAXIS sign). You can purchase your tickets with Mexican, American or Canadian currencies. If you are coming on a package, tour, group, etc., please look for the persons holding a sign related to you, they will advise you of your transportation arrangements.

Once you leave the arrival gate people will approach you to offer assistance. Be careful in readily accepting offers or GIVING A CASH DEPOSIT on so-called "free transportation to town", "transportation refunds", "special deals on tours", "free breakfasts", etc., these are TIME-SHARE or VACATION CLUB salesmen and usually you must attend a sales section to get the benefits or a refund of your money. Also, if you need to buy transportation services (taxi), do it yourself at the counters, do not let anybody get it for you or you may be over charged. If they bother you or give you bad information, make an immediate complaint to the airport authorities!

Be advised that some transportation drivers may recommend other property than the one you have planned for lodging. The driver is probably doing it because he gets paid a commission and not necessarily because you will get a better deal or a better place. If the lodging facility has to paid commissions to drivers, think why? Be wise and use your own judgment!

At airport we suggest to tip the porters US$1.00 (MX$10.00) per big or medium size bag or per two small ones.

At our airport you'll find Rent-A-Car agencies. You may rent a car here or pick-up the car you have previously reserved through an office in another city, country or from internet. For listing of rent-a-car agencies, check "Community" in menu.

To view airport schedule board of arrivals and departures for today in real-time [click here] (Courtesy FlightStats.com)

You may buy "packages" that include airfare and hotel lodging or "air only seats" (transportation only) with many Charters Companies who fly to our destination mostly between late November through middle April of every winter season.

	AIR TRANSAT		MLT VACATIONS
	APPLE VACATIONS		RYAN INTERNATIONAL
	FUNJET VACATIONS		SUNWING
	MAGNICHARTERS		and other companies
	-Only domestic flights within Mexico.

If your choice is to come by land in your own or rented vehicle but if it's going to be your first time, it's wise to seek advise from reliable sources for the best and safest routes to our destination. During daylight hours the Angeles Verdes (Green Angels) offer FREE motorist assistance. It's a service rendered by Secretaría de Turismo (Federal Tourist Bureau) and their coverage is on toll-ways and main federal highways only. CAPUFE from the Communication & Transportation Bureau also offers assistance but on Toll-Ways only.

If you're coming by car, on highway MEX-200 from "Feliciano Toll Booth" (Toll-way Siglo XXI) to our resort you may find alongside the road stands of "tourist information" and/or "hotel & lodging offers" Exercise precaution and avoid being misinformed or ripped-off. If you don't have a reservation, we suggest to get to our towns and check rates DIRECTLY WITH HOTELS avoiding offers from roadway and street salesmen because: a) you may be over charged; b) you may be scammed with a reservation in an inexistent lodging facility; or c) the property may exist but it will not honor your booking because the person you bought it from it's not his representative.

To read detailed information about toll-ways, highways and routes to our destination, we RECOMMEND you to [click here]. Includes map, approx. travel times, toll-fares, tips, warnings by other motorists and much more. Read it if you'll do the driving.

You can also travel in comfortable and luxurious buses or in less comfortable but more economic services. You will see fantastic sea views if you are coming from Acapulco or spectacular mountain sceneries if it is from El Bajio (lowlands) area.

Some bus lines with Luxury and First Class services use double-decker buses for runs to Mexico City, Morelia, Guadalajara, etc. Check in advance if you don't like to ride on the upper deck because there is only a few seats on the lower deck.

Companies that provide elite services include, luxury or first class bus with air conditioner, a non-stop or limited-stops (according to distances), movies and a sandwich and soft drink when you board the bus. Some lines offer individual TV screens where you can choose movies, games, etc. and satellite WiFi internet. Runs that make stops on the way, will do it in terminals that have food shops and laytime it's usually from 15 to 20 minutes.

Many companies allow reservations and/or ticket purchase "online" through their websites or by phone (in Spanish only) and most honor credit cards for tickets purchase at major terminals (Visa and MasterCard)

Other bus services such as Second Class, Economy Class, etc. are considerable cheaper but slower due to many stops on the way. Also, they are operated with standard buses and usually without air conditioner or TV.

You can visit us aboard a Pleasure Cruise Ship with a stop-over in Zihuatanejo and said stop is between 5 to 10 hours depending on the cruise line. That will give you plenty time for your own exploration trip of our cities or enjoy one of the many and interesting tours offered by your cruiser company. You will also find enough time for souvenirs shopping and for that, we have a very large Artisans Tourist Market only 3 blocks away from the pier. We are sure that you will like our destination so much that you'll want to return soon for a great vacation with us.

If you purchased a tour onboard, upon disembarkation walk to the end of the pier (toward mainland) and look for the tour operator personnel holding a sign related to your side-trip. If you want to hire a private guide or take a Taxi, you will find their booths in this area too. If you want to be on your own for a walk in our town, make a right turn at the end of the pier to get to the fishermen's walk (beachfront promenade) that will take you to our Main Plaza where the basketball court is located (about two blocks from pier)

Cruise Ship Lines that make a port-of-call in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo during their annual Mexican Riviera programs are: (Annual programs change and some lines may not have a route to our resort in a particular season/year)

Cruiser ships anchor in Zihuatanejo Bay and they use their own "tender boats" to bring passengers to the pier. It is a short and safe ride of approx. 5 minutes.

We suggest that if you plan to take a local tour, purchase it onboard or at the Private Guides booth at the end of the pier, do not take risks with "freelancers" that may offer these services outside the pier area (fishermen's walk, streets, etc.). Private Guide and Taxi booths at pier are in service only during cruiser's operation hours.

According to surveys, many tourist that disembark in Zihuatanejo for the very first time say that they will return for a full vacation in our place.

If you're planning to come in your own sailboat or yacht [click here] to read basic information.

VERY IMPORTANT: Tight security measures have been implemented in our airport due to the incidents is USA (9-11). To comply with TSA and FAA security recommendations, passengers of International flights are required to check-in at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure and for National flights at least 60 minutes and you MUST show a valid I.D. If you don't abide by this requirement, you may not be allow to board the aircraft.

FAA regulations prohibits to pack in your carry-on baggage any type of explosive material, fuels, matches, solvents and acids, spray cans, any type of cutting object (knifes, scissors, cutters, nail clippers, corkscrew, glass), etc. Any item that might represent a hazardous threat to the flight security WILL BE CONFISCATED, it will not be carry by the airline and the item will stay behind. Also, a regulation emitted by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) requires ALL BAGGAGE TO BE INSPECTED AT CHECK-IN and not just the carry-on. If you have any doubts on check-in time, carry-on or documented luggage, we recommend to consult the airline office or its local representative in advance.

Before you leave our towns we suggest to exchange your left over Mexican Pesos to your country currency. We have a Money Exchange House at the Airport but exchange rate may be lower than in town.

If you are a foreigner and leaving Mexico on the flight originating in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, don't forget to return your "Tourist Card" to the airline's employee at ticket counter when documenting.

If you are leaving in an international flight, after the security check-point and inside the departure lounge there is a DUTY FREE SHOP where you can buy liquor, cigarettes, perfumes and gifts, free of taxes (they will request your flight ticket)

Free Wi-Fi internet is available at most locations inside airport including in the departure lounge.

Do not leave your luggage unattended because it could be picked up by security personnel and you may loose precious time getting it back.

A final tip... If by any reason your flight is delayed, don't be tempted to have too many "margaritas" or "tequilas" to kill the time, if you are in an inconvenient condition, YOU WON'T BE ALLOW TO BOARD THE PLANE

If you want to read basic information on documents required to visit Mexico, [click here]. Also, basic list of consulates, embassies, etc.